In the glitzy and glamorous world of Bollywood nothing is predictable. A movie that was once considered the costliest flop of its era turned out to be a cult classic and a symbol of visionary filmmaking. Yes one such tale is of a film that came in the year 1959 its a box office flop not only marked as the costliest flop but it also left its actor and creator heartbroken and financially ruined. Today this film is considered a cinematic gem.
Kagaz Ke Phool - Plot Earning and More
The film that we are talking about is none other than Guru Dutt’s 1959 classic Kagaz Ke Phool. Now this film is considered ahead of its time and an iconic masterpiece but back in the day this wasnt the case. When the film was released it met a massive rejection. Made on a budget of Rs. 17 crores at that time which is almost equivalent to nearly ₹1478 crore today it earned only Rs. 2 crores at the box office marking it as Bollywood’s biggest financial disaster of its time.
From Financial Disaster to Filmmaking Masterclass
The film featured a star-studded cast including Waheeda Rehman Johnny Walker Mehmood and Guru Dutt himself. Kagaz Ke Phool was not just made to entertain people but it delved into the personal expression of inner turmoil fading fame and loneliness. From the plot of the film its direction to its impeccable cinematography by V.K. Murthy this film was way ahead of its time and today its considered a masterclass in filmmaking
What made Guru Dutt leave Direction?
However initially when the film met with failure the director Guru Dutt was not just disheartened but it left him completely disdain. The turmoil affected him so much that he left the directors chair forever after that. Guru Dutt started feeling that any film he thereafter made would meet the same fate. As a result he stopped directing and instead only chose to produce films.

This creative collaboration of Guru Dutt with V.K. Murthy and writer Abrar Alvi created an unmatchable magic. Even today students of film study it for its technique soul and the painful beauty it portrays.

A film that once broke Guru Dutts spirit is now considered a visionary masterpiece.